%0 Research article
%T Root electrolyte leakage and root growth potential as indicators of spruce and larch establishment
%A McKay, H. M.
%D 1998
%J Silva Fennica
%V 32
%N 3
%R doi:10.14214/sf.684
%U https://silvafennica.fi/article/684
%X The relationship between the condition of bare-rooted 2-year-old  seedlings of Sitka spruce and larch at the time of planting and their  survival and growth after 2 years was examined. Data were analysed for 2  experiments using seedlings lifted and stored at +1 °C throughout the  winter for planting in April and also for 2 experiments using seedlings  planted directly on different dates without cold storage. Electrolyte  leakage from the fine roots of spruce was closely correlated to survival  following direct planting at different times from September to April  and fine root leakage was a more accurate indicator of spruce  performance than root growth potential. However the pattern of larch  survival of directly planted stock was more closely related to root  growth potential than to root leakage. When seedlings were cold-stored,  root electrolyte leakage and root growth potential were modified during  storage and following cold storage, the performance of both species was  more closely related to root electrolyte leakage than root growth  potential. These results are interpreted as meaning that successful  establishment of bare-rooted seedlings requires a functional nursery  root system that is capable of both supplying adequate water for a  limited period immediately after transplanting and of producing roots to  meet the seedling’s increased water demand later in the growing season.